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Cooper Vuna has spoken out as he and his Tonga team-mates claim they have not been paid by their rugby union.

They say they have not received money promised for the recent Pacific Nations Cup - in which they lost to Georgia and beat Samoa and Fiji - nor a bonus they claim was pledged after they beat Italy last autumn.

Bath Rugby back Vuna told 1 NEWS in New Zealand: "They've just gone from year to year just doing the same old thing and just having the same old broken promises.

"I was just like we have to make a stand. If not as a playing committee, then as a Tongan really."

He told Somerset Live: "It's always a battle as and for senior players to hear from team-mates countlessly asking about payments and funds everyday.

"Players from NZ have to leave jobs and locals from the island (Tonga) have no job but leave in the hope that playing for the national team would give them the support, or even a better opportunity in the world of rugby."

The Tonga Rugby Union has previously refused to sign an agreement with the players' association, meaning they are powerless to help.

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He added: "With the potential to play tier one teams in the upcoming November tour we hope, as players and rugby staff, that it won’t be like every other tour."

Somerset Live has tried to contact the Tonga Rugby Union for comment but none of the relevant phone numbers or emails on their website are working and their official Twitter account has not been updated for three years.